Iran has exported nearly 1.98 billion barrels of oil over the past four years since US President Joe Biden took office, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) said in its annual Tanker Tracker report released on Friday.

Despite ongoing US sanctions, Iran increased its output by more than 10 percent in 2024, according to the US-based advocacy group.

China continued as the largest importer, receiving 533 million barrels, up 24% from the previous year, accounting for 91% of Iran’s total exports.

The shift towards Iran's National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) for direct loadings marked a significant change in Iran's oil export strategy. Previously, foreign-flagged vessels were commonly used to transport oil directly from Iranian ports, circumventing sanctions.

"In 2024, Iran relied more on its NITC fleet for direct loadings, departing from past practices where foreign-flagged vessels often carried oil directly from Iranian ports," UANI said, adding that it has identified 132 new vessels smuggling Iranian oil, raising the total to 477.

The organization emphasized the need for stronger action against companies enabling the evasion of sanctions, with a focus on prosecuting tanker captains involved in illicit activities.